Madrid is Spain's vibrant capital and largest city, a metropolis of world-class art museums, grand boulevards, lively plazas, and an electric nightlife that never sleeps. As the Autonomous Community of Madrid, the region combines the cosmopolitan energy of the city with green sierra mountains, historic royal towns, and charming villages within easy reach.
- Public
- Madrid's metro is one of Europe's finest — clean, punctual, and comprehensive. The 10-trip Tarjeta Multi card (€12.20) offers the best value for a short visit
- Taxi
- White Mercedes taxis are plentiful, metered, and safe. Avoid unlicensed taxis; use apps for cashless convenience
- Rental
- Car rental from €30/day — useful for Sierra de Guadarrama excursions but unnecessary in the city. Several rental companies at Barajas and near Atocha station
- Walking
- The historic core from Prado to Royal Palace to Gran Vía is easily walked in 20–30 minutes; bringing comfortable shoes is essential for cobblestoned streets
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- €30–€40 flat rate (official fixed rate from Barajas to any address in Madrid municipality)
- Taxi Info
- Only take white taxis with taxímetro from the official taxi ranks outside arrivals. Fixed city fare announced in advance — agree before departing. 20–40 min to centre
- Shuttle
- €5 (Exprés Aeropuerto public bus)
- Shuttle Info
- Airport Express bus runs 24 hours every 15–20 minutes between all airport terminals and Madrid city centre (Atocha, Cibeles, Colón)
- Bus
- €5 flat fare (Exprés Aeropuerto) or €6 via metro Line 8
- Bus Info
- Exprés Aeropuerto is the fastest and cheapest option; Metro Line 8 requires a €3 airport supplement on top of normal fare
- Private
- €35–€55 pre-booked private car
- Private Info
- Book through Cabify Business, Welcome Pickups or local services for a fixed price with name board at arrivals
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
EMT bus network covers the entire city (200+ lines); same Tarjeta Multi card as metro; Night buses (Búho) run all night on weekends. Stops display real-time arrival information
Alternatives
BiciMAD electric bikes (€2/hour, 260 stations), LIME/TIER e-scooters, and Cercanías suburban trains for towns beyond metro reach
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- €2.40 base fare + €1.05/km (day rate); €2.90 base + €1.20/km (night/weekend/holidays). Airport supplement €5.50
- Apps
- Cabify, Uber, FreeNow, MyTaxi
- App Names
- Cabify, Uber, FreeNow
- Typical Fare
- €8–€12 for an average city centre ride
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
ALSA and Avanza long-distance buses from Estación Sur (Méndez Álvaro) — Barcelona from €20, Seville from €25
Shared
BlaBlaCar carpooling is popular in Spain for inter-city travel at very low cost
Flights
Domestic Iberia/Vueling flights to Barcelona from €30, Málaga from €25 — often not faster than AVE train when door-to-door time included
Private
Car rental from €30–€60/day; available at Barajas airport and multiple city locations (Atocha, Chamartín)
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Madrid has one of Europe's most efficient and comprehensive public transport networks, centred on a modern 13-line metro system that connects the city and its airport. The EMT bus network fills any metro gaps, while Cercanías suburban trains link the capital to towns across the Community of Madrid. The city centre is flat and very walkable.
Airports
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport
Madrid-Torrejón Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Moovit
Best multi-modal journey planner for Madrid metro, bus, and Cercanías — works offline
Cabify
Most popular ride-hailing app in Madrid; professional drivers, fixed prices
BiciMAD
Official app for Madrid's public electric bike-sharing scheme
Renfe
Official RENFE app for Cercanías suburban trains and AVE high-speed tickets
EMT Madrid
Official EMT bus app with real-time arrivals and route planner
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Buy a Tarjeta Multi (rechargeable card) at any metro station — the 10-trip card saves significantly over single tickets
Metro Line 8 from Nuevos Ministerios to Barajas T4 is the best-value airport connection (€6 total including supplement)
The Exprés Aeropuerto bus (€5) runs 24 hours and is useful for early morning or late night arrivals when metro is closed
Cercanías trains are the key to day trips — Segovia takes just 28 minutes by high-speed Avant train from Atocha
Madrid Central zone restricts private cars — check if your rental car is allowed in the city centre or face fines
BiciMAD electric bikes work perfectly for the flat Madrid Río park cycle route and connections along Paseo del Prado
Night metro (Búho) runs Friday and Saturday nights — all 13 lines every 15–30 minutes so you never need a taxi after clubbing
Chamartín station (not just Atocha) also serves some AVE high-speed routes — check which station your train departs from